Health and Development

Health and Development

The Differences in Nursing Techniques when Treating a Three year-old and Ten Year-Old Child by Considering Differences in Cognitive Development

Shannon Cowper- 06859607
NSB225: Health, Human Development and Ageing
Due Date: May 7th, 2008
Lecturer: Jennie Barr
Tutor: Renee Lovi
Word Count: 1626 words (Not including referencing)

The Theory of Cognitive Development founded by Jean Piaget, establishes specific stages in the development of thought processes from birth the late childhood. This theory categorises children into four stages according to their age and states that intellectual growth occurs in a precise order with one stage being unattainable without the child first mastering the previous (Mandeleco, 2004). Using Piaget’s theory it is possible to gain understanding regarding how children of different ages might be thinking in a certain situation and the most valuable ways of making them feel comfortable and safe. Nurses especially, need to be aware of the fact that a three year-old and ten year of child are experiencing the same situation differently and thus need to be treated individually. When considering the perception of ill health, communication techniques, establishing trust, determining emotions through alternative therapies and engaging children in activities that they are interested in and will support recovery it is imperative that nurses remember that these children will need to be treated autonomously in accordance with their cognitive capabilities.

Three year-old children make all their assumptions about the world based on their own experiences and are incapable of seeing that there may be more than one perspective (Mandeleco, 2004). McGrath and Huff (2001) revealed that three year-old children are curious however very naïve about what occurs within a hospital. Therefore, a child of three who has very limited understanding of illness and hospitals will be very confused and unable to make sense of a hospital...

Similar Essays